East Sutherland Camera Club members take 'a different angle' to produce stunning photos
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East Sutherland Camera Club’s April competition set a different challenge for its members – the subject was “A Different Angle”, writes club secretary Andy Kirby.
Deliberately open to various interpretations, many members chose to point their cameras in unusual directions on a variety of subjects, including domestic items not normally seen in that way.
Others chose to use a different lens that created the different angle, such as a fisheye lens, or took the opportunity to take a wider interpretation of what the words could mean.
On this occasion, the club were pleased to welcome an external judge to assess their images. Peter Roberts from Nairn and a member of the Moray Camera Club, did the honours.
He gave a detailed analysis of each image, drawing out ways in which the image could have been improved, either when taking it or in assessing it afterwards.
There was agreement that his comments were very fair and that he provided good tips which all could take on board whether or not it was their image being critiqued.
One common mistake is to think in terms of set sizes as commonly produced by high street retailers instead of focussing on what suits the actual image.
As Peter said, a lot of it is about training your eyes both when taking an image and when post processing.
In particular ask yourself what you are trying to say with the image and focus in on it, where do you want the viewer’s eye to go and how can you help it get there.
First in the colour category was “The Bridge”, an extremely well composed, long exposure shot of the underside of the Dornoch Bridge by Martin Ross from Golspie.
Second was Emma Deeth, Tain, with her low viewpoint shot of oilseed rape.
Third was Graeme Miller, Dornoch, with his subtly toned and textured shot of the organ pipes in the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso, “Playing a Different Tune”.
Alan Butcher, Golspie, came fourth with an intriguing circular fisheye lens shot which he turned upside down for a different effect: “Up or Down?”.
Andy Kirby, Dornoch, came first in the monochrome section with “About to be Grated On”. A domestic item from a very different angle.
The shot used focus stacking and LED lights in a dark room to get the effect.
Second was Patrick Argyle, Golspie, with “Power Lines”, a very graphic view up the centre of a pylon.
Martin Ross was again in the winning line-up with his graphic “What a Mesh” which came third. Emma Deeth also joined the winners for a second time with her carefully composed “Sunday Shoppers”.
For more details about the club see www.eastsutherlandcc.org.uk and where the winning competition images can be seen.
Meanwhile Culbokie Community Trust is inviting entries for the Black Isle Photographic Competition.
The contest is aimed at first-time and keen amateur photographers and the theme is “My Beautiful Black Isle”.
There are three categories – Best photograph using a camera; Best photograph using a mobile phone; and best photograph using any device, aged 13 and under.
The deadline for photos to be submitted is Thursday, June 30 and rules and entry forms are available on the club’s website.: www.culbokiect.org or email: event@culbokiect.org
